This is not Miami

by Fernanda Melchor
This is not Miami cover
Good Books rating 4.17
True Crime
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  • ID: 3192
  • Added: 2025-10-17
  • Updated: 2025-10-17
  • ISBN: 9780811228060
  • Publisher: New Directions Publishing
  • Published: 2023-04-04
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4

This Is Not Miami is a searing collection of narrative nonfiction pieces set in and around the Mexican city of Veracruz. These stories, inspired by real events, blend reportage with the author's vivid imagination to explore the motivations and circumstances of those labeled as monsters. Fernanda Melchor's masterful storytelling forces readers to confront the complexities of human nature and the societal chaos that underlies violent acts. /n/n The book is a powerful exploration of empathy and understanding, showing how the shocking aberrations that make headlines are often the surface ruptures of a society on the brink. Melchor's work, praised for its rich and rigorous imagination, continues to captivate readers with its unflinching look at the darker aspects of human behavior.

Reviews
The C.L.E. Review of Books · 2024-01-18
insightful 4.00

The collection offers a bleak yet insightful look at gender and violence. The treatment of these themes is well-observed and compelling.

The reviewer finds the collection to be a rare moment of hope amidst bleakness, particularly in its treatment of gender. They appreciate Melchor's ability to capture the nuances of gender dynamics and violence in a way that feels both authentic and insightful. The collection is praised for its unflinching look at difficult subjects, making it a significant contribution to contemporary literature.

Quick quotes

    It is a rare moment of hope in a bleak collection.

    Melchor's treatment of gender is similarly well-observed.

    Just as she did in her novels, Melchor's essays are a powerful exploration of violence and its impact.

Los Angeles Review of Books · 2023-08-11
harrowing 4.50

The book delves into themes of memory and violence, offering a stark portrayal of life in a troubled region. The narrative's raw intensity and unflinching gaze make it a powerful read.

This collection is a searing exploration of memory and violence, set against the backdrop of a troubled region. The unnamed narrator's journey through personal and collective trauma is both harrowing and compelling. The book's unflinching gaze into the darkest corners of human experience makes it a difficult but necessary read. The reviewer appreciates the raw intensity of the narrative, which forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths about society and human nature. Despite its bleakness, the book offers moments of profound insight and emotional resonance, making it a standout work of literary fiction.

Quick quotes

    The book's unflinching gaze into the darkest corners of human experience makes it a difficult but necessary read.

    The narrative's raw intensity forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths about society and human nature.

    The collection is a searing exploration of memory and violence, offering a stark portrayal of life in a troubled region.

Southwest Review · 2023-04-25
impactful 4.00

The novel tackles difficult subjects with a rare moment of hope amidst the bleakness. Melchor's treatment of gender is particularly well-observed and impactful.

This novel is a powerful exploration of themes that many would prefer to ignore, such as abuse and neglect. The reviewer notes that amidst the bleakness, there are rare moments of hope that make the book all the more impactful. Melchor's treatment of gender is particularly well-observed, adding depth to the narrative. The reviewer appreciates how the author handles these difficult subjects with sensitivity and insight, making the book a significant contribution to contemporary literature. The raw and unflinching portrayal of life's harsh realities is balanced by moments of profound humanity, making it a compelling read.

Quick quotes

    The novel tackles difficult subjects with a rare moment of hope amidst the bleakness.

    Melchor's treatment of gender is particularly well-observed and impactful.

    The raw and unflinching portrayal of life's harsh realities is balanced by moments of profound humanity.

The New York Times · 2023-04-02
profound 4.20

The book explores the perils and ghosts of a troubled region, offering a poignant look at how people cope with violence and adversity.

This collection is a profound examination of violence and its impact on individuals and communities. The reviewer highlights how Melchor delves into the perils and ghosts of a troubled region, offering a poignant look at how people cope with adversity. The book's exploration of human resilience and the ways people find hope in the face of despair is particularly noteworthy. The reviewer appreciates the author's ability to blend dark themes with moments of beauty and hope, making the book a compelling and thought-provoking read. The raw and honest portrayal of life's challenges makes it a significant work of contemporary literature.

Quick quotes

    The book explores the perils and ghosts of a troubled region, offering a poignant look at how people cope with violence and adversity.

    Melchor delves into the perils and ghosts of a troubled region, offering a poignant look at how people cope with adversity.

    The raw and honest portrayal of life's challenges makes it a significant work of contemporary literature.

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